Funding cut hits women's film festival

A London festival that championed female film-makers has been forced to cancel next year's event because of a funding crisis caused by the axing of the UK Film Council.

The Birds Eye View Film Festival lost £95,000, 90 per cent of its core finance, when the Film Council closed. Organisers could not find new support in time for 2012. The festival has showcased award-winning directors such as Lucy Walker, Gurinder Chadha and Joanna Hogg. It has also received support from Rosamund Pike, left, and Zoe Wanamaker. But the numbers of women directing and writing movies remains low. Rachel Millward, founder of BEV said: "This issue needs a spotlight, the festival is vital."